The Mayor works full-time, managing the day-to-day operations of the City and providing leadership and policy direction to the City Council. The Mayor chairs all meetings of the City Council,
voting only in the case of a tie. The six members of the City Council work part-time, holding budget and policy-setting authority for the city. The Mayor and City Council members are elected
at large by popular vote. City Council members are elected to a specific Council seat, but the seats are not determined geographically. City elections are held in odd number years (e.g. 2007, 2009, 2011).

Members of City Council are (L to R): Council President Pro Tem Elaine Clegg,
Council Member TJ Thomson,
Council President Lauren McLean,
Mayor David H. Bieter,
Council Member Lisa E. Sánchez,
Council Member Holli Woodings
and Council Member Scot Ludwig

Frequently Asked Questions

PDS Online

Create a PDS Online Account

Log in to PDS Online

ePermits If you want to create trade permits or request inspections, you need to add your company information to your profile. If you need help with this step, see the FAQ "Why can't I find my name in the search?" for directions.

Company Name Search

The "Company Name" query searches our database for your company record, and there are a few reasons why your information might not show up.

Company Name Doesn't Match The name you typed doesn't match the way we have it entered in the database. Some names can be tricky. For example, "A1", "A-1", "A+1" and "A 1" would all be different records.

Enter the first three letters of your company name to widen the search.

Not in our Database If you haven't taken out a permit from us before, you won't be listed in the database. Call our permit desk at (208) 608-7070 to sign up.

eApply

Do I have to submit applications electronically?

Interactive Applications

We still accept paper applications. However, if you want to type within the form, you must use the PDS Online version, fill it out and then print a copy. Otherwise, you can print the "Application Preview"version and fill it out by hand.

ePlanReview

ePlan Review and PDS Online: What's the difference?

ePlanReview

Electronic plan review is performed using the ProjectDox program and the ePlanReview website. ePlanReview is separate from PDS Online and requires a separate login.

The ePlanReview website is on a secured server. Customers must be invited into a case; the data on the server is not accessible to the public.

Did you sign off on the "Applicant Upload" task?

Since we have no way of knowing how long you'll take to upload files (or how many files you'll submit), you must sign off the "Applicant Upload" task to notify us that you're ready to proceed to the next step.

The project sits in a "pending" status until we receive notification that you're done uploading files.

Electronic files that do not meet these requirements will not pass pre-screen review.

Review Process: My plans have been approved. Now what?

Print Approved Plans

The architect/applicant must download the approved plans and documents and provide a copy of the approved plan set to the contractor. An approved paper plan set must be on the job site at all times during construction.

Building Permit Issuance

Plans will not be released for printing until the Building Permit has been issued. We need the contractor's information (name and registration number), and a final Certificate of Value before we can determine the final fees. All fees must be paid prior to permit issuance. Have your contractor call our permit desk at (208) 608-7070.

Review Process: Why didn’t you give my contractor a set of the approved plans?

Architect Must Download and Print Approved Plans

If a project was reviewed electronically, it is the architect/applicant's responsibility to download the approved plans and documents and provide a paper copy for their contractor to keep on the job site during construction.

Help: What browser do you recommend?

ePlanReview is a web-based application, so no special software is needed. However, there is a small plugin that will make viewing plans and changemarks possible in Internet Explorer - the link is available on the ePlanReview login page.

Plans and changemarks are best viewed in the current version of Internet Explorer. However, ePlanReview can be accessed from any web browser.

Help: I tried to sign off on my task and nothing happened.

Check Your Browser

ePlanReview is designed to run in Internet Explorer (IE) version 11 or greater. You can view the site using other browsers (Google Chrome, Firefox etc.), but may not be able to complete the assigned tasks unless you open ePlanReview within Internet Explorer.

Help: I keep getting errors. What should I do?

Troubleshooting Installation Errors

ePlanReview customers may encounter errors if the ProjectDox program components were not properly installed. These errors are often caused by the computer's security/permissions settings.

The problem can usually be solved by editing a few settings on your computer, then uninstalling and reinstalling the ProjectDox components. Click here for the Troubleshooting Installation Errors quick guide.

ePay

Can I pay with a credit card?

Does PDS Accept Credit Cards?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. A convenience fee of 2.7% is added to the permit total.

Can I pay with an electronic check?

Electronic Checks

We accept electronic checks. There is a $0.85 convenience fee to process your check.

Why am I charged extra to make an electronic payment?

Service Charges

The City of Boise uses a third-party vendor (Retail LockBox) to process all electronic payments. Retail LockBox charges a service charge to process all credit card and electronic check transactions.